Now Hiring: Director of Marketing and Audience Engagement
ABOUT THE ANCHORAGE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Founded in 1946, more than a decade before Alaska became a state, the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra has grown from a small community ensemble into one of Alaska's most celebrated cultural institutions. Following its landmark 80th Season under the leadership of Music Director Elizabeth Schulze, the ASO performs at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts and reaches tens of thousands of Alaskans each year through concerts, education programs, and community initiatives. The ASO has been described as "a cultural powerhouse for Alaska that is innovative, accessible, and always a bit unpredictable," and its vision, Great Music for Every Life, drives everything it does.
The ASO's programming spans a Classic Series of full orchestra concerts with world-class guest artists, an imaginative Pops series, film and multimedia performances, and cross-cultural collaborations that reflect the richness of the Anchorage community. Beyond the concert hall, the ASO connects students and families through its Young People's Concerts and Coaching in Schools programs, supports young musicians through the Mary and Lucian Cassetta Music Scholarship Competition, and opens its doors to underserved community members through its Music for My Neighbors initiative. This is an organization with deep roots and a forward-looking spirit, and it's looking for people who share both.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Director of Marketing and Audience Engagement leads all marketing efforts for the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra, with ownership of ticket revenue strategy, brand voice, audience communications, press and media relations, the ASO website, and concert program book production. This role operates across every public-facing channel and works in close collaboration with the Director of Development and Community Engagement, the Patron Services Manager, and the Executive Director.
This is a leadership role with real authority and clear accountability. The Director makes day-to-day campaign decisions, manages the marketing budget, and is responsible for results. It is an opportunity for a skilled, entrepreneurial marketing professional who wants to do meaningful work for a community institution and who is ready to bring both strategic thinking and hands-on execution to the role.
Core Responsibility
Drive ticket revenue, audience growth, and public engagement through strategic, data-informed marketing across all channels and platforms.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Campaign Strategy and Revenue Ownership
• Plan and execute integrated marketing campaigns for concerts, subscriptions, and special events
• Develop audience segmentation and targeting strategies to reach new and returning patrons
• Align all campaigns with ticket sales goals and organizational priorities
• Manage the marketing budget, including allocation of spend across campaigns, channels, and vendors
• Monitor sales performance and return on investment, adjusting campaigns and spend as needed to improve results
Marketing Channel and Communications Ownership
• Own and manage all audience-facing marketing channels, including email, social media, digital advertising, and traditional media
• Develop and maintain a shared outbound communications calendar, coordinating weekly with the Director of Development and Community Engagement to align messaging and prevent channel fatigue across patron and donor audiences
• Ensure consistency in brand voice, tone, and timing across all channels and materials
• Own social media content strategy and posting execution, including copy development, scheduling, and community engagement
• Establish a content pipeline process so that other staff and the Music Director can submit content for integration into the marketing calendar
Website Ownership
• Maintain and update the ASO website across all sections, including concert listings, education pages, staff pages, and program descriptions
• Ensure all content is accurate, current, and consistent with the ASO's brand and season narrative
• Coordinate with relevant staff to gather timely content updates each concert cycle
Press and Media Relations
• Serve as the ASO's primary owner of press and media relationships
• Write and distribute press releases for concerts, events, organizational announcements, and community initiatives
• Cultivate relationships with local and regional media, journalists, and arts reporters
• Coordinate media requests and interviews in collaboration with the Executive Director and Music Director
Program Book Production
• Own the end-to-end production process for all concert program books, from content collection through print coordination and delivery
• Establish and maintain a content deadline calendar for each concert cycle, with named deadlines for the Music Director and Director of Development and Community Engagement
• Write and edit marketing copy throughout; coordinate for accurate sponsor and donor recognition with Development
Brand and Season Narrative
• Collaborate with the Executive Director and Music Director to develop the ASO's seasonal narrative and public voice
• Ensure all communications reflect both the ASO's artistic ambition and its commitment to community
• Maintain brand consistency across all print, digital, and promotional materials
• Conduct an annual review of the About the ASO section across all organizational documents, including job descriptions, at the start of each new season, and submit recommended updates to the Executive Director for approval
Community Program Promotion
• In partnership with the Director of Development and Community Engagement, develop and execute marketing strategies that promote the ASO's education and community programs, including Young People's Concerts, Coaching in Schools, and Music for My Neighbors
• Frame these programs as central expressions of the ASO's mission in all public-facing communications, not as secondary offerings
Sponsorship Fulfillment Execution
• In coordination with the Director of Development and Community Engagement, execute on all sponsor recognition commitments, including logo placement in programs and digital materials, concert recognition copy, and other promotional deliverables
• Maintain a sponsor fulfillment tracker and ensure all marketing-related commitments are met accurately and on time
Advertising and Vendor Oversight
• Coordinate paid advertising campaigns across digital and traditional channels, including radio, in collaboration with external vendors or consultants
• Provide direction on targeting, messaging, and budget allocation; monitor performance and hold vendors accountable for results
Analytics and Reporting
• Track and report on campaign performance, including ticket sales, engagement metrics, and return on investment
• Use data to inform strategy and improve future campaigns
• Work with the Patron Services Manager to access and interpret ticketing and audience data
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
• 5 or more years of experience in marketing, communications, or a related field
• Demonstrated experience owning and executing multi-channel marketing campaigns, including email, social media, digital advertising, and traditional media
• Experience managing or contributing to a marketing budget with accountability for revenue outcomes
• Proven ownership of website content management
• Experience in press and media relations, including writing and distributing press releases
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent deadlines
• Excellent writing and communication skills across platforms and audiences
• Must reside in the Anchorage/Mat-Su area; valid driver's license and reliable transportation required
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as required for concerts and events
• This role requires the ability to occasionally lift and carry materials weighing up to 40 pounds. Reasonable accommodations will be made for individuals with disabilities.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Experience in performing arts, nonprofit, or event-based marketing
• Familiarity with ticketing systems and audience databases
• Working knowledge of digital advertising platforms such as Meta Ads and Google Ads
• Experience with CMS platforms and basic website administration
• Experience with photography, videography, or multimedia content creation for social media and digital marketing purposes
• Established connections within the Anchorage or Alaska community
KEY TRAITS FOR SUCCESS
• Results-oriented with a clear focus on ticket revenue and audience growth
• Strategic thinker who can prioritize effectively in a fast-moving, deadline-driven environment
• Entrepreneurial and self-directed, comfortable building systems and processes, not just maintaining them
• Proactive and self-managing, consistently working ahead of deadlines to ensure timely, well-prepared communications across all channels
• Collaborative communicator who thrives on a small, mission-driven team
• Genuine enthusiasm for live performance and the ASO's role in the Anchorage community
• Comfortable being the public voice of a beloved institution
REPORTING AND STRUCTURE
• Reports to: Executive Director
• Works closely with: Director of Development and Community Engagement, Patron Services Manager, Music Director, and external vendors
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
• Full-time, exempt, permanent position
• Salary range $65,000 to $75,000, commensurate with experience
• This position offers flexibility for hybrid remote work, with the expectation of regular in-office presence for concerts, events, and team collaboration
• Benefits include parking, an unlimited leave program, and complimentary concert and event tickets to all ASO activities
• This position does not include employer-sponsored health insurance
HOW TO APPLY
The Anchorage Symphony Orchestra is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, ethnicity, veteran status, or national origin. The ASO actively encourages applications from candidates of diverse backgrounds and is committed to building a team that reflects the richness of the Anchorage community it serves.
Please submit the following as PDF attachments to AnchorageSymphonyApplications@Gmail.com:
• Resume
• Cover Letter (maximum one page): Please outline how your experience aligns with the required qualifications for this role. We ask that you write this in a personal and authentic way, without the use of AI tools.
• References available upon request
This position will remain open until filled.
